System and apparatus for making cutter bits



Sept. 2, 1930. s. T. NELSON 1,774,993

SYSTEM MID APPARATUS FOR MAKING CUTTER BITS Filed Oct. 51, 1924 2Shoots-Sheet 1 S p 1930. s. T. NELSON 1,174,993

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CUTTER BITS Fi1ed Obt. 51-, 1924 2Shoots-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 2, 1930 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVEN '1'. NELSON, O l MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA, ABSIGNOB TO SULLIVANmomma! OOMPANY, A CORPORATION 01' MASSACHUSETTS svs'rnu ann'arrenarosson Maxine cur'rxa BITS Application filed. October 81, 1924. Serial Io.748,958.

. proved combination of several elements includin a heatingfurnace, acontinuously operabi forging machine, and means for automaticallytransferring the heated articles from the furnace to said machine. A

' further object is to provide improved means whereby a plurality ofstacks of bit blanks may be disposed within the furnace. A furtherobject is to provide improved jarring mechanism for preventing thesticking together of the several bit blanks when disposed in theirstacks. A further-object is to provide improved means for directing theheat of the furnace against the ends .of the blanks to be heated. Astill further object is to provide improved means for preventing theunheated blanks from passing to the forging machine, such as when the aparatus is started up as the bits first disc arged from the furnace areliable to be not fully heated for proper forging thereof. A furtherobject is to provide improved means for automatically discharging thebit blanks from the furnace and directing the same to the forgingmachine, which discharge mechanism has time relation to suitable blankreceiving means of the forging machine. A further objectis to provideimproved means whereby a bit blank discharged from any one of theplurality of stacks will be directed to a common means leading to theforging machine. Still another object of the invention is to provideimproved means for automatically stopping operation of the system. Morespecifically means are provided whereby when the bit blanks are notproperly seated within the blank receiving means of the forging machinesaid machine will be automaticall made inoperative thereby eliminatinganger of trying to force a jammed blank between the forging dies.Another object of the invention is to include within the practice.

improved system a forging machine of the 7 type wherein a bit blank maybe automatically fed thereto and discharged therefrom completely forged.

-In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown for purposes of illustrationone embodiment w ich my invention may assume in In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the apparatus.

Fig. 2-is a side elevation of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1.

F'g. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the furnace and portion ofthe bit blank feeding mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentar transverse section of the cooling passagesblanks.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the forging anachine showing thecooperating forging or the stacks of bit Fig. 6 is a fragmentarysectional view of v the means for preventing improperly heated,

blanks from passing from the furnace to the forgin machine. a

Fig. is a fragmentary detail of the latch mechanism for holding theforging machine clutch in operative position.

Fig. 8 is a detail of the blank feed control I means.

In the illustrative embodiment of my invention I have shown the same ascom rising a furnace generally indicated as 1, a org-.

ing machine 2, and transferring means 3 for transferring bit blanks fromthe furnace to the forging machine. The furnace comprises a suitablysupported frame comprising a vertical wall 4 and an inclined wall 5connected by a bottom 6 and a top 7, which top has bit blank magazinereceiving opening members 8 formed along one edge thereof, while aburner 9 is disposed adjacent the wall 4 and inclined so as to directthe flame against a plurality of vertically disposed stacks of bitblanks 10. The magazine employed for inserting the initial stack of bitblanks is similar to that described in my nding application Ser. No.511,900 filed ct. 31, 1921, now Patent No. 1,703,776, is

sued Feb. 26, 1929, except that the form herein has the upper end of themembers 8 bent outwardly to relieve part of the downward thrust of afilled magazine on the lowermost bit blank. If such means was notrovided the pressure on the lowermost b1t blank might be so large as tohinder feeding of the lowermost blank. The blank .supportmg means isdisposed adjacent the rear wall 5 and comprises a series of alternate enand closed vertical passages 11 and 12, w ile disposed in the rearportion of the open passages 11 are bit blanks engaging strips 13pivotally mounted at their upper ends, at 14, and having a bolt or stud15 extendlng outwardl through the wall and connected to a suitable arm16 between which and the wall is a spring 17 to force the strips againstthe rear wall and maintain engagement with cams later described. Itis-to be understood that the open passages are adapted to receive theshank ends of the several bit blanks 1 and that the passages 12 aresupplied at their 18, the air being allowed to flow upwar and dischargeinto a. pipe connection 19 which has communication with the burner 9,and the flow of air being controlled by any suitable valve mechanism 20.It will thus be seen that due to the position of the burner and by theuse of the cooling passages 12 only the unenclosed ends of the blankswill be heated. r To prevent sticking together of the heated blankswhichmight result due to their being heated or foreign matter disposedbetween the several bit blanks, I have provided improved means -forcontinuously vibrating or arring the stacks so as to cause slight motionbetween the adjacent surfaces thereof. This improved means comprises atransverse shaft rotatably mounted within brackets 26,

Figs,- 1 and 2, and'a plurality of cams 27 longitudinally disposedthereon so that a cam will be adapted to oscillate each of the strigs13.which is also'actuated by the spring 1 Thus each individual stackwill have an individual jarring mechanism and to prevent undue vibrationfrom being set up throughout the whole furnace said cams may beangularly disposed so that while one stack of blanks is being thrustforwardly the other set willbe moving rearwardly, thus balancing theforces. Suitable means are provided for driving the shaft 25 whichcomprises a pulley or chain sprocket 28 connected to a suitable sprocketor pulley 29, mounted upon a shaft 30 of the improved automatic feedingmechanism, as through a suitable flexible connection 31.

The improved feeding means comprises a plurality of feeding devices 32mounted upon the shaft 30, and one disposed below each stack of bitblanks. The devices 32 comprise a plurality of radially extending arms33, herein shown as four, but it will be understood that any desirednumber may be used in accordance with the rate of feeding desired. Eachstack of bit blanks is adapted to rest upon a base 34 while the blanksare discharged through a passa e 35, it being noted that the lowermostbla resting upon the base 34 is free from the lower end-of the member13, W ile the adjacent blank just engages the lowe end of said member.In the operation of the device as the shaft 30 is continuously rotatedthe ends of the arms 33 will successively engage bit blanks as isclearly shown in F i 3 to cause the lowermost blank to be pushed frombeneath the stack the one imlnediatel thereabove being held againstmovement member 13. It will also e understood that the radial arms 33for each set will be angularly disposed relative to the armsof theadjacent set so that the blanks will be fed successively from theseveral stacks. It will also be noted that by using a plurality ofradial arms 33 on each feedin device disposed below each stack it isposslble to rotate the shaft 30 at a slower rate of speed than if alesser number of radial arms were employed, thus not necessitating arapid movement of the blanks during discharge thereof and consequentlyreducing wear, tear and vibration upon the furnace;

The improved transferring means 3 adapted to carry blanks dischargedfrom the furnace to the forging machine comprises a series of convergingguide chutes 35' each leading from one of the discharge openings 35disposed adjacent each stack of bit blanks. Certain of these guides suchas on the right hand side of the machine terminate in a common inclinedguide chute 36, while the remainder of the guides 35 disposed on theleft hand side of the machine terminate in a common guide chute 37, bothof which common chutes terminate as at 38. The reason for having the twosets of chutes 35' with the individual common guide for each set is onaccount of using the particular type of forging machine which will belater described. The ends of the chutes 36 and 37 are notched as at 39,the width of which is slightly greater than one-half the width of thebit blanks and slightly greater in length than the same. It will beunderstood that, the bit blanks are disposed within the stacks 10 withtheir broadest surfaces extending horizontally so that a dischargedblank slides down the chutes 35' flatwise and upon reaching the notches39 the center of gravity of the blank being disposed within the posedimmediately below the notched chute 39 and pivoted to the chutes 36 and37. The plate 40 is normally held parallel to the bottom of the chutes36 and 37 as by a bell crank 41 ivotally mounted upon a bracket42 carrieon the for ing machine12. One arm 43 of the bell era is relatively longand serves as a handle for the operator to grasp while the short'arm 44of the'crank is connected to the plate 40 as throu h a connecting link45. Disposed adjacent t e end of the chutes 36 and 37 are chutes 46 and47, it being noted that the same are somewhat narrower than the firstmentioned chutes because they receive the blanks edgewise and direct thesame to the forging machine 2. It will be noted in the structure thusfar described that should it be desired to prevent'the blanks frompassing from the furnace to the chutes 46 or47 it is only necessary forthe operator to swing the handle 43 and thus cause the plate 40 to bedropped to the position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 which willprovide ample space for the blank upon tipping through the notches 39 tofall to the ground or any suitable receptacle.

The forging machine is of the general t pe disclosed in my copendingapplication er. No. 512,676, filed Nov. 3, 1921, now Patent N o.1,650,581, issued Nov. 22, 1927, and brit fly comprises a frame50'carrying a rotatable bit carrying member 51 driven through anysuitable gear mechanism 52 which can be controlled by a suitable clutchmechanism 53 mounted upon one-of the driving shafts and controlled by asuitable manually operable lever 54. The bit carrying member includes aplurality of inclined blank receiving openings 55 and dies 56 eachhaving an inclined face 57 adjacent the rear side of the opening to formthe cutting face of the bit as the blank is passed through a series offorging rollers 58. The dies 56 and the forging rollers are of theraised die and grooved roller construction disclosed in the abovementioned application and it will suffice to say that by cooperation ofthese dies the cutting portion of the bit is fully formed so that whenthe same is passed through the lastand lowermost roller 58 in thedirection of the arrow A. thev finished bit will be automaticallydischarged due to gravity. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the blankreceiving openings 55 are disposed in two planes, 59 and 60, eachadapted to receive the blanks discharged through the respective chutes46 and 47. This particular type of forging machine employs the usualstationary blank adjusting means 61 upon which the ends of the blanksabut when completely positioned within the openings 55. As disclosed inmy copending application these adjusting means 61 can be moved relativeto the member 51 to permit the formation of different lengths of bitshanks.

In the feeding of bit blanks to the openings 55 suitable means areprovided for checking movement of a blank down the chutes 46 or 47 andare adapted to be actuated as through any suitable lever constructionbythe raised dies carried upon the-rotated die carrier as clearl shown inFig. 8. Thus a blank will slide ownthe chute engaging a stop member ofthe mechanism 62 which will be released, by a raised die, which acts asa cam, in sufficient time to allow the blank to just drop within theopenings 55 when the same is directly thereunder and .still moving. Theblank will fall sufliciently within the opening so that it will beositively carried forward and duringsuch urther movementwill fall bygravity within the opening until it abuts the member 61 after which itcan be properly forged.

Suitable means are provided for automatically stopping the forgingmachine in case the blank does not fall to its proper forging positionwithin the opening 55, which means comprises a plate 63 hanging ina'vertical position in the path of the blanks and mountedupon a shaft 64pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 65. The lower edge 66 is spacedaway from the carrier 51 just enough to allow the upper end of aproperly positioned blank to freely pass thereunder. However, the upperend of an improperly positioned blank will strike the plate 63 and causethe sa..1e to swing, whereupon means are actuated to automatically stopfurther movement of the blank before it reaches the forging rollers 58.This means comprises an electrical contact arm 67 disposed on the outerend of the shaft 64 and adapted to cooperate with a stationary contact68, it bein noted that when the plate '63 is normally lianging the arm67 and contact 68 are disconnected, but obviously upon swinging of theplate, contact will be made between said elements and thereby permitflow of electric energy to actuate a solenoid 69. A usual solenoid isemployed and has a core extension 70 operatively controlling themanually operablelever 54 as through a suitable latch means 71 whichwill hold the clutch in engagement against the, tension of a usualclutch spring when the same is manuall set. The control lever is guidedin a slot 2 of a bracket 73 projecting outwardly from the frame 50 ofthe forging machine. lNhen the solenoid 69 is actuated the latch will bereleased and the clutch 53 thrown out by the spring and thus stop theblank carrying member 51. I

If, however, the blank passes through the successive forging operationsof the rollers 58 a finished bit will automatically drop from theopening 55 and fall upon a chute 74 and an endless belt 75 from whichthey may be led to any other suitable mechanism such as a tempering bathor the like. In the forging operation, the cutting portion of the bitsbecome somewhat cooled but heat remains within the shank which issufiicient to provide a suitable tempering heat for the cutting portion.If the bit is allowed a slight amount of time a sufli'cient amount ofthis heat, suit able'for tempering, will be distributed to the cuttingportion. The amount of time necessary co dbe easily obtained by makingthe conveyor 7 5 of suflicient length or by run-v driving connectionherein shown as comprlsing a sprocket-76 mounted upon the shaft of themember 51 which is adapted to drive by a chain 77 and a sprocket 78mounted upon the shaft 30.

In the general operation, blanks are inserted within each of thevertically disposed openings 11 through the members 8. The lowermost bitblank will be free of the lower end of the plate 13 of the jarringmechanism so that upon rotation of the shaft 30 one of the radial arms33 will discharge the lowermost blank through the opening 35 into one ofthe chutes 35. As it proceeds it will be guided flatwise into the commonchute 36 or 37 and upon reaching the notch 39 will be tipped so as to befurther guided edgewise within the chute 46 or 47. From here it will bedelivered to one of the blank receiving openings 55 and when properlydisposed therein, so as to clear the plate 63, will pass through theplurality of rollers which will perform successive degrees of forgingoperation thereon. Upon passing through the final roller it will bedischarged, herein, by gravity cally described one embodiment whichmyupon the endless belt as previously described.

While I have in this application specifiinvention may assume inpractice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown forpurposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified andembodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or thescope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinecomprising a blank carrier member having a pluralit of means adapted toreceive blanks to be orged, and transfer mechanism comprising aninclined blank conducting chute extending between said furnace and saidforging machine for transferring heated blanks from the former to eachof said blank receiving means in succession.

2. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinecomprising a blank carrier member having a plurality of means adapted toreceive blanks to be forged, and transfer mechanism comprising aninclined said transfer mechanism includin blank conductin chuteextending between said furnace an said forging m'achine for transferringheated blanks from the former to said blank receiving means insuccession, feeding means coordinated with the functloning of theforging device to feed blanks from said furnace.

3. In combination, a blank heating furnace having means for receiving aplurality of stacks of blanks, a blankforging machine having blankreceiving means for holding a blank in position forelfecting a for 'ngoperation on a blank, and means exten ing between said furnace andmachine for receiving blanks successively from said stacks andautomatically transferring the heated blanks therefrom, one at a time,to the blank receiving means of said machine.

4. In combination, a blank heating furnace having means for receiving aplurality of stacks of blanks and means for discharging the blanks oneat a time from said stacks in succession, a-blank forging machine havingblank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on a blank, andmeans extending between the discharge means of said furnace and theblank receiving means of said machine for automatically transferring theheated blanks, one at a time from said stacks in succession to the blankreceiving means of said machine, said transferring means includingcommon means for receiving blanks from said separate stacks.

v5. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, means extending between said furnace and machine forautomatically transferring heated blanks from the former to thereceiving means of the latter, and

means for withdrawing blanks from said nace, a blank forging machinehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, and means extending between said furnace and machine forautomatically feeding heated blanks from the former to the receivingmeans of the latter, said feeding means comprising means whereby a blankis fed when in one position and thereafter in an angularl disposedposition.

7. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, means extending between said furnace and machine forautomatically conveying heated blanks from the former to the receivingmeans of the latter, means for changing the angular position of theblanks while being conveyed from the furnace to the forging machine, andmanually eration on a blank, means exten ing be-:

tween said furnaceand machine for convey- J ing the heated blanks fromthe former to the receiving means of the latter, means for changing theangular position of'the blanks while being conveyed to the machine, anddeflecting means for withdrawing said blanks at will from said conveyingmeans whilepassing to the forging machine.

9. In combination, a blank heatin furnace, a blank for 'ng machinehaving lank receiving means or effecting a forging operation, meansextending between said furnace and machine for feeding heated. blanksfrom the former to the receiving means of the latter, said meanscomprising means for conveying the blanks in a plurality of positions,and means whereby the blanks may be automatically. removed from theirnormal path of conveyance.

10. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehavingblank receiving means for effecting a forging operation of ablank, means extending between said furnace and machine forautomatically transferring heated blanks from the former to thereceiving means of the latter, and means for automatically renderingsaid forging machine inoperative when a blank is improperly positionedin said receiving means.

11. In combination, a blank heating device, a blank forging devicehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, means extending between said devices for automaticallytransferring heated blanks from the former to the receiving means of thelatter, and means for automatically interrupting the operation of one ofsaid devices when a blank is not properly positioned with respect to thesame.

12. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, conveying means for auto matically transferring the heated blanksfrom said furnace to the blank receiving means of said machine, andmeans for directing blanks away from said machine at will duringtransfer by said conveying means.

13. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blankforging machinehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, means for automatically transferring the heated blanks dischargedfrom said furnace to the blank receiving means of said machine, andelectrical means automatically operative to interrupt the operation ofsaid machine when a blank is improperly positioned in the blankreceiving means. I

14. In combination, a blank heating furnace, blank forging machine.having blank receiving means for efi'ectinga forgin operation on ablank, means including a c u tch for controlling the operation of saidmachine,

magnetic means for controlling saidclutch,

means for autmatically transferring the heated blanis discharged fromsaid furnace to the blan receiving means of said machine, and electricalmeans automatically operative to energize said magnetic means to causethrowing out of said clutch to interrupt the operation of said machine.

15.- In combination, a blank heatin furnace, a blank forging machinehaving lank receiving means, means including a blank conducting chuteextending between said furnace and machine for automaticallytransferring the heated blanks discharged from said furnace to the blankreceiving means of said machine, and means for automaticallyinterrupting the operation of said machine in case the blanks becomejammed in the blank receiving means. 16. In combination, a blank heatingfurnace' having a blank discharging means, a

blank forging machine having blank receiving means for effecting aforging operation on a blank, means extending between said furnace andmachine for automatically transferring heated blanks from the former tothe blank receiving means of the. latter, and means for automaticallyrendering said machine and said furnace blank discharging meansinoperative when a blank is improperly positioned in the blank receivinmeans.

17. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehavin a movable blank receiving member for e ecting a forging operationon the blank, means for automaticall transferring heated blanks fromsaid urnace to the blank receiving member of said machine, and meansoperated directly by said movable member for timing the movement of theblanks in said transferring means with the operation of said machine. I

18. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehaving a movable blank. receiving and die carrying memher for effectinga'forging operation on a machine, and means coordinated with thefunctioning of said machine for effecting the feed of blanks bysaidfeeding means to said blank receiving means in succession.

20. In .combmation, a blank heatin furnace, a blank forging-machine foreifgcting a forgingfiiperation on a blank comprising blank receiving anddie carrying means, means for transferring the heated blank from saidfurnace to the blank receiving means of said machine comprising meansfor withdrawing individual blanks from said furnace, and means engagingthe blanks after they have been discharged from the furnace forcontrolling discharge of said individual blanks from said transferringmeans to said blank receiving and carrying means.

21. In-combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehaving blank receiving means for effecting a forging operation on ablank, means for automatically transferring the heated blank from saidfurnace to the 'blank receiving means of said machine, and means forcontrolling movement of said blank in said transferring means, saidlatter means comprising a manually operable blank deflecting member.

22. .In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machinehaving movable blank receiving means for effecting a forging operationon a. blank, means extending between said furnace and machine forautomatically conveying blanks from the former to the receiving means ofthe latter, and means controlled directly by movement of the blankreceiving means for automatically controlling the passage of blanksalong said conveying means to regulate the discharge "of blanks fromsaid conveying means in accordance with the position of said re ceivmgmeans.

23. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a blank forging machine foreffecting a forging operation on blanks including blank receiving means,means for transferring the heated blanks from said furnace to the blankreceiving means of said machine comprising means for ejecting blanksfrom the furnace, conveying means extending between said furnace andmachine for conveying the blanks to the machine after being ejected fromthe furnace, means for controlling the passage of said blanks along saidconve ing means, and means actuated by a mova le element of said forgingmachine for operating said controlling means to time the discharge ofblanks from said conveying means in accordance with the position of saidblank receiving -,means.

24. In combination, a blank heating furnace, a forging machine havingmeans for receiving and supporting a blank during a forgin operation,and transfer mechanism comprising an inclined blank conductingchutereceiving blanks from said furnace and extending to said forging machinefor transferring heated blanks from said furnace to the blank receivingand supporting means of said forging machine.

25. In combination, a blank heating furnace having a blank dischargemeans, a forging machine having means for receiving and supporting ablank during a forging operation and means for forging a blank, andtransfer mechanism comprisin an inclined blank conducting chuterecelving blanks from said furnace and extending to said forging machinefor transferring heated blanks from said furnace to the blank recelvingand supporting means of said forging machine.

26. In combination, a blank heating furnace having a blank dischargemeans, a forging machine having means for receiving and supporting ablank during a forging operation and means for forging a blank, transfermechanism comprising an inclined blank conducting chute receiving blanksfrom said furnace and extending to said forging machine for transferringheated blanks from said furnace to the blank receiving and supportingmeans of said forging machine, and mechanism operatively connected tosaid blank receiving means and said blank receiving and forming meansfor operating the same in timed relation.

27. In combination, a blank heating furnace having means for receiving aplurality of stacks of blanks, and means for successively dischargingthe blanks from different stacks, a blank forging machine having blankreceiving and forming means, and transfer means including a plurality ofblank .conducting chutes for receiving the blanks discharged from saiddifferent stacks and a communicating blank conducting chute forvreceiving the blanks from said chutes and

